Eric Schultz / The Huntsville TimesIn this March 2008 file photo, friends Katie Koon, Grace Koon and Katie Kratsch enjoy the Aldridge Creek Greenway in south Huntsville.HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The Planning Commission gave the thumbs-up Tuesday to a controversial rezoning along Aldridge Creek.

Following a packed public hearing, the commission approved developer Dr. John Wisda's request to change his property from Residence 1-B to Residence 2 zoning.

The City Council still has to sign off on the rezoning; that vote could happen in December.

As a condition of approval, Wisda agreed to plat restrictions that prevent him from building anything but single-family, detached homes with a minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet. Also, he said he would promise in writing to keep about half the 21-acre site as greenspace.

The zoning change means Wisda's proposed Greenway Park subdivision could have slightly smaller yards and setbacks, allowing him to put bigger homes on its 39 lots.

People who live near the property on Branscomb Road filled almost every seat in the City Council chambers for Tuesday's hearing.

Deborah Higginbotham delivered a petition signed by 65 families opposed to the rezoning. Wisda has a "legal right" to develop the wooded property, she said, but ought to do so under the current zoning.

In a Residence 1-B district, houses must be set back at least 30 feet from the street and can cover a maximum of 30 percent of the lot. Houses in a Residence 2 district can be as close as 20 feet from the street and can cover up to 40 percent of the lot.

After the meeting, Higginbotham said she was surprised the Planning Commission approved the rezoning in the face of such intense opposition from the neighborhood.

"All these people here were saying don't do it," she said. "It seems like the fix was in."

The zoning change passed unanimously, with City Councilwoman Sandra Moon abstaining. Moon, whose district includes Branscomb Road, said she abstains from voting on controversial planning issues "to send a very clear message that I'm still in a listening mode."

About a dozen people spoke against the subdivision, claiming it would bring unwanted traffic, potentially aggravate flooding problems on Aldridge Creek and destroy wildlife habitat.

Ed Reske worried that more homes would overburden an "antiquated" sewer system that already backs up in the rain.

"It's the developer who should be compromising, not us," Reske said.

Several speakers said they came because of a flier that suggested the property was going to be turned into public housing.

Wisda said that couldn't be further from the truth; homes in Greenway Park would sell for $250,000 to $350,000.

"This has nothing to do with the Huntsville Housing Authority," he told the crowd. "I've never even met anybody with the Huntsville Housing Authority."

Marty Calvert, city government's drainage expert, said Aldridge Creek was widened so much after a devastating 1999 flood that Wisda's subdivision won't raise the risk of flooding.

"I'm not concerned that he's going to increase the flood elevation," Calvert said.